VP of Operations

Kinect Solar sits at the intersection of two of the most consequential trends of our time: the build-out of U.S. renewable energy infrastructure and the modernization of industrial logistics. We are a fast-growing distribution and logistics company serving the renewable energy sector — moving solar modules, trackers, transformers, and battery energy storage systems (BESS) through a national network of warehouse and logistics partners. We are entering our next phase of growth and investing in the systems, processes, leadership, organizational structure, and operational discipline needed to scale effectively. For the right operator, this is a rare opportunity to roll up your sleeves and build the operating engine of a profitable, growing business at an inflection point — partnering with strong commercial leaders across two business lines, an experienced CFO, and a CEO committed to building this company the right way.

The Opportunity

We are hiring a Vice President, Operations to run the operational engine of Kinect Solar — the day-to-day execution that keeps the business moving, the operating cadence that holds it together, and the project management discipline that ensures nothing falls through the cracks. This is a roll-up-your-sleeves leadership role for an operator who is energized by being in the work, not above it. Partnering closely with the CFO, the Sales Leaders for our two business lines (KIS and KL), and fractional technology leadership, the VP will quickly assess the business, the team, and the operating model — and then lead the team through the work required to strengthen them. The Sales Leaders drive revenue and customer relationships within their business lines; the VP owns the operational execution that turns commercial commitments into delivered results. This role is designed for a hands‑on leader who is energized by developing people, driving accountability, and being the person who makes sure things get done.

Key Responsibilities

Operations Leadership

• Lead the operations organization across warehouse, logistics, inventory, fulfillment, and special projects
• Manage and optimize the contracted warehouse and 3PL network — carrier and partner selection, performance management, and network design
• Direct freight strategy for specialized cargo (transformers, BESS, trackers, modules), including heavy/oversized freight, permitting, hazmat handling for lithium‑ion, and insurance
• Establish and own operational KPIs across logistics, warehouse, inventory, and fulfillment: on‑time delivery, cost per shipment, damage rates, dwell time, inventory accuracy, claims ratio, and carrier performance
• Assess organizational structure, talent, and operational ownership while integrating and scaling warehouse, transportation, logistics, inventory, and fulfillment operations

Commercial Support

• Support business development and sales operationally — pipeline management, forecasting, CRM operational hygiene, and the reporting infrastructure that gives the executive team real‑time visibility into pipeline, backlog, and conversion
• Partner with the Sales Leaders to translate their commercial strategies into repeatable, measurable processes — without owning the customer relationships
• Run the operating cadence — weekly, monthly, and quarterly business reviews, KPI dashboards, and the rhythms that hold the company accountable to its plan
• Partner with the CEO, CFO, and Sales Leaders to translate strategic priorities into operating plans and quarterly objectives, and drive the execution against them
• Establish the accountability structure, escalation paths, and decision‑making processes that keep operations running smoothly. Serve as an execution partner to the Sales Leaders on operating efficiency, resource allocation, and cross‑functional execution

Project Management & Cross‑Functional Execution

• Own end‑to‑end project oversight for increasingly complex customer projects — from contract execution through final delivery — including scoping, planning, resourcing, project governance, operational handoffs, and delivery accountability
• Build and scale the project management function — PM methodology, project templates, status reporting cadence, and the intake and prioritization discipline that ensures the right work gets the right people at the right time
• Own project‑level P&L visibility — margins, timelines, resource utilization, and postproject reviews that drive continuous improvement.
• Serve as the escalation point for project risks, delivery issues, and cross‑functional friction — with the authority and the operational depth to unblock work
• Partner with technology leadership on systems strategy, ensuring operational systems (WMS, TMS, CRM, and related tools) support the way the business runs and evolve to meet operational needs
• Serve as the operational voice into technology decisions — defining requirements, prioritizing enhancements, and validating that systems deliver against operational commitments

Leadership & Organizational Build

• Lead and develop the operations organization while evaluating talent, organizational effectiveness, and opportunities to strengthen performance
• Manage the relationship with offshore contractor partners supporting administrative and operational functions
• Embody and reinforce Kinect Solar's culture and values

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in operations, supply chain, logistics, or general management in a logistics or distribution business, with at least 5 years in a senior operations leadership role (Sr Director Ops, VP Ops, SVP Ops)
• Demonstrated experience running operating systems in a growth‑stage business — KPIs, operating cadence, project governance, planning processes
• Operational fluency with WMS, TMS, ERP (NetSuite a plus), and CRM systems — the ability to partner effectively with technology leadership on operational systems decisions
• Experience managing a multi‑site or contracted‑warehouse network at scale
• Track record of leading through influence and structural authority — has supported sales infrastructure that commercial leaders rely on to hit their numbers
• Strong executive presence and the ability to partner effectively with a CEO, Board, and senior executive peers
• Experience building or leading formal project management functions, methodologies, or operational excellence initiatives

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands‑on experience with heavy/oversized freight, hazmat, and the regulatory frameworks that govern them
• Direct experience in renewable energy, transportation, logistics, warehousing, industrial distribution, infrastructure, or other operationally complex industries.
• Experience in a founder‑led or PE‑backed growth‑stage business
• Previously served as VP Ops, SVP Ops, Sr Director Ops, or senior operations executive in a logistics or distribution business

What Success Looks Like in the First 12 Months

• Earned the trust of the CEO, CFO, the Sales Leaders of both business lines, and the operations team as an operator who gets things done
• Completed an organizational assessment of the operations team and implemented improvements that strengthen accountability and scalability
• Established a scalable project management function and operating cadence that keeps complex customer projects on track
• Strengthened operational and compliance discipline and delivered measurable operational improvements across logistics, warehouse, and fulfillment KPIs
• Built the operational execution platform to support doubling the business over the next 3+ years

Salary & benefits:

It’s not just about our growth, but yours as well. We offer a highly competitive salary and benefits, along with great perks.

• Competitive compensation
• PTO, sick, mental health days, and paid holidays
• Fully remote and flexible work environment and schedules
• Health, vision, dental, and life insurance
• 401(k) with employer match
• FSA/HSA options and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Employee discounts and referral bonuses
• Professional development and volunteer time off